Our marine and coastal environments are under mounting pressure.
Despite these pressures, the marine and coastal environment is still a wonderful natural asset for Australia and the world. Many areas remain in very good condition but there is no room for complacency on the part of managers or the community. Active protection is required to ensure sustainability now and for the future.

Working towards a sustainable future requires planning to meet human needs together with a just use of resources. It means reducing the harmful effects of industry and technology, challenging company policies which are dangerous to people and the environment, reducing over-consumption and waste, restraining population growth, distinguishing clearly between needs and wants, and organising locally, nationally and internationally for appropriate change.

There are signs of such changes beginning to occur: international agreements over climate change and for restricting the use, production and emission of hazardous chemicals; governments turning various shades of green; critical social movements challenging the status quo; national and local groups campaigning on the environment; individuals looking to take action and participate in decision making about environment and development issues.

Key Questions

What images of the marine and coastal environment in the future do we have?
What do we want the marine and coastal environment to be like in the future?
What substances do we want to be allowed to be emitted to the environment?
What are possible, probable and preferred marine and coastal environmental futures?
What does a sustainable marine and coastal environment look like?
What does a sustainable society look like?
What does sustainable marine and coastal environmental management look like?
What does marine and coastal environmental conservation and protection entail?